As previously reported by NewsOne, Sterling was allegedly captured on tape going on a racist rant against Black people after his Black Hispanic mistress, V. Stiviano, posted pictures of herself and Black friends on Instagram.

Stiviano also posted a picture of herself with Magic Johnson, prompting Sterling to say that she was embarrassing him. He told Stiviano that she was supposed to be a “delicate” Latina or White woman and that he preferred not to think about her Blackness. He also told her that he does not want her to acknowledge Black people publicly.

In a statement released to TMZ Sports, L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling, with the full support of the Clippers organization, denies knowledge of the recording and says that he is not racist.

President Obama said that Sterling’s ignorance is clear:

“When ignorant folks want to advertise their ignorance, you don’t really have to do anything, you just let them talk.

“…we constantly have to be on guard on racial attitudes that divide us rather than embracing our diversity as a strength.”

“The United States continues to wrestle with the legacy of race and slavery and segregation, that’s still there, the vestiges of discrimination.

“We’ve made enormous strides, but you’re going to continue to see this percolate up every so often. And I think that we just have to be clear and steady in denouncing it, teaching our children differently, but also remaining hopeful that part of why statements like this stand out some much is because there has been this shift in how we view ourselves.”

President Obama Weighs In On Donald Sterling Controversy

The NAACP cancelled plans to honor Sterling with a Lifetime Achievement Award during a May 15 ceremony.

“He is not receiving a lifetime achievement award from the NAACP,” Lorraine Miller, NAACP interim vice president, said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”